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i 3.3 LABORATORY QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES The quality assurance staff at the laboratory will have a program for the regular introduction of quality assurance (QA) samples into the system. These,samples will monitor the instrumentation, sample 'bottle storage facility, sample bottle preparation, sample storage refrigerator, and cleanliness of glassware preparation. The laboratories will maintain a written QA/QC Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document that will be available upon ,;request. The SOP 'will describe in-house procedures to ensure the quality of analyti- cal activities. Data generated by the laboratory will undergo a rigorous data valida- tion examination. This data validation process is a standard operating procedure (SOP). Where not otherwise specified for particular analytical methods, gen- eral internal quality control checks include the use of method blanks, surrogate spikes, matrix spikes, and duplicates. 3.3.1 Method Blank Analysis A method blank is a purified solid matrix. The laboratories will carry method blanks throughout the entire analytical scheme. ;Method blank volume or weight must be approximately equal to the sample vol- ume/.weight. The results of method blank analysis will not exceed the quantitation limits applicable to the particular analysis. protocol and sample matrix. For method blank exceedences, the laboratory will take corrective action and document that action. The laboratory will re- extract/repurge and reanalyze all samples that the lab Chas processed with the faulty method blank. The laboratory will not use the results of method blank analysis to adjust or correct other sample data. 3.3.2 Surrogate Spikes Surrogate compounds resemble sample analytes chemically, but rarely occur as species in the sample itself. The laboratory will perform surro- gate spiking on field and control samples at frequencies appropriate for the specific analysis. Surrogate spiking is performed in `order to moni- tor preparation and analysis of samples prior to purging or extraction. Where the analytical method protocol identifies specific spiking sola- tions, the laboratory will use these solutions and will follow the cele- vantprocedures if any sample or blank falls outside the surrogate spike recovery limit. 3-2